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Monthly Archives: March 2009

Taxpayer Empowerment and Advocacy Act Inspired by Modern Day Tea Parties

Protesting Washington’s Wasteful Spending

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman J. Gresham Barrett (SC, 03) introduced today the Taxpayer Empowerment and Advocacy Act, or TEA Act for short. This bold legislation was inspired by the more than two hundred modern day Tea Party protests being held around the country. Congressman Barrett’s legislation aims to save taxpayers more than half-a-trillion dollars over the next five years.

“We are facing serious economic challenges. Here at home in South Carolina, the unemployment rate is 11%. We all know someone who has been personally affected by these tough times. Many are looking to Congress for answers. But, the so-called solutions coming from the Washington Democrats all call for more spending, more borrowing and more taxes.

“The President’s budget increases taxes by nearly $2 trillion, doubles the national debt in less than six years and spends $4 trillion this year alone. And who can forget all the wasteful spending in ‘stimulus bill’ – $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts, $300 million for green golf carts and $30 million to protect the San Francisco Harvest Mouse? Just to name a few.

“Taxpayers have had enough. Across our state and across this country they are gathering together to voice their displeasure. Inspired by our nation’s early patriots, thousands of taxpayers are gathering at hundreds of modern day “tea parties” to protest Washington’s wasteful spending, the Democrat-written stimulus package, the housing bailout and President Obama’s budget.

“I want the people of South Carolina and our nation to know that I’ve gotten the message, and that is why I am introducing the Taxpayer Empowerment and Advocacy Act – or the TEA Act for short. Over the next five years, the TEA Act will save taxpayers over half-a-trillion dollars by reducing spending, restricting the growth of government and strengthening the definition of ‘emergency spending’ to prohibit abuse. I am confident that this bold initiative will set Congress on a new, more accountable course and protect the taxpayers’ best interests.”

The TEA Act holds discretionary funding for the 2010 fiscal year below the enacted 2009 fiscal year level. Additionally, the bill restricts government growth for 2011 to 2014 to the rate of inflation, initially reduces by five percent all existing mandatory spending programs (excluding Social Security and debt service), decreases the interest of the federal debt, strengthens the definition of “emergency spending” and authorizes Pay-As-You-Go for new mandatory spending programs.

The TEA Act will be referred to the House Budget and Rules Committee for consideration.

As we get closer to the official rollout of Messiah Motorworks LLC™, the Brits & Euroweenies have come up with something that is sure to become a big hit in certain circles of totalitarian persuasion. Call it a juiced-up version of OnStar.

The Czech Republic will probably refuse to accept prisoners from the U.S. Guantanamo prison, Mirek Topolanek, outgoing Czech Prime Minister and chairman of the senior ruling Civic Democrats (ODS), told the Impuls Radio today.

Great pic huh? Stole it from my friend Andrea over at The Radio Patriot. She has a post up that every one should read: 33 Minutes in 7:48.

I have warned for years now about letting rogue states like Iran and North Korea obtain nuclear weapons. Take my word for it, they will use them. North Korea is nuts and Iran embraces death. So of course, we will just sit back and let North Korea shoot off a missile capable of hitting Alaska or Hawaii – our government says there’s nothing we can do about it. We are the strongest nation on earth and there’s nothing we can do about it – bullcrap… You mean, we won’t do anything about it don’t you? Well, our enemies do not have any such reservations which, if we keep up depleting our nuclear stockpiles, I’m sure we will find out about first hand before too long. Iran can’t wait to wipe Israel and America off the face of the earth. Think I’m exaggerating? Watch and then tell me I’m full of it:

Acting more like a dictatorial goon than a President, Obama (without consulting Congress) fired the CEO of GM today officially turning it into Government Motors. He also delivered ultimatums to GM and Chrysler and states he favors a form of bankruptcy for them. GM has 60 days to cut billions from their expenses, or an escalated form of bankruptcy will occur. Chrysler has 30 days to merge with Fiat. So now Obama can fire executives from major corporations and extort major firms into merging. We are beginning to look more and more like Venezuela every day… But don’t worry – he claims the government will cover your warranties. I feel sooo much better now.

I hear that at least 2000 plants will close and that could increase to 4000. Think of the thousands of workers being laid off – lives being destroyed, no scratch that, decimated… In fact, the government feels so bad about it, they are doing a site to handle sadness over the economy. I’m sure that will be of great comfort when those workers lose their homes and see their families go hungry. ‘Let them eat cake…’

“There has always been a line, ladies and gentlemen, which no president would cross, with respect to the distinction between the public and private sectors. Obama has now crossed that line. There is no limit to government’s destruction of private activity or control over it.” – Rush Limbaugh

What you saw today was no less than a totalitarian smack down on GM. Don’t get me wrong – I believe in free markets and if a company fails, it should just fail. But to dump billions into these companies and then command them as if they were subjects of the King, well it is simply beyond belief. Obama isn’t simply trashing the Constitution, he’s doing a jig on it while fiddling. What a despot and a wanker… He is a true statist and he must be stopped.

In what I consider to be a direct violation of our 1st amendment rights, cities across the US have passed stealth legislation charging large permit fees and insurance binders to keep citizens from their right to assemble. Count me as one of the conservatives who just got a nasty surprise. I’ve been sticking my nose into politics for almost two decades. In the early 90s when we held meetings in hotels, all we paid was a fee for the room and sometimes those were free. Schools and libraries were free too. I have a friend in Carson City, NV who came to me two years ago complaining how she couldn’t afford to hold meetings for parents on school board issues. Not because of the room fee, but because they now required insurance at an exorbitant rate. I need to apologize to her, even though I never told her this – I thought she just didn’t know how to handle setting up meetings and that she was being dramatic. Turns out she was right. And now they charge even more for holding assemblies out in public where the police should be all the insurance you need…

City governments are for the most part not outright banning the tea parties – nope, they are just making the fees and insurance so high that no one can afford to have them. That is still unconstitutional. While we all worked to feed our families, these laws were passed by liberals in each and every one of our local governments in order to silence us should we ever wake up. As the article pointed out, many places on government property we are told that we cannot hold protests and rallies – we paid for the damn government property, we should be able to use it. This is like the straw that broke the camel’s back and I would wager I’m not alone by a long shot on this one.

First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

People, your city and state governments have no right to block you from assembly and free speech. Their financial red tape should not bind us from protesting. I would protest even if it meant jail. Some of you will say you have a family and children or you are worried about your jobs. Do this for your family – if you lose your job you would have lost it any way. Will you sacrifice your family’s future and the next generation’s future just because you were afraid of your government? Will your shackles rest on your shoulders so easily that you will share them with all you love? I say no! I say we protest and stand up regardless the cost!! Remember, you are not doing anything violent or illegal – you are standing up for your rights as American citizens… Don’t let them stop or silence you. It’s time to take a stand more than ever – if they are doing this it is because they fear the American public and so they should.

Either this did not apply to those congregating for Obama, the Code Pinkers, the war protesters and the illegal immigrants who gathered by the thousands or someone with deep pockets funded them. This has to stop now… Americans own America, not the liberal elite who manipulate our finances and laws.